Week 3 Fantasy Football RB Snap & Touch Report: Is Bucky Irving taking Rachaad White's Starting Role?

Morgan takes a look at important usage numbers for fantasy football running backs coming out of Week 3.

After every week of NFL play, FantasySP takes a look at the most important usage numbers for fantasy football players. 

Last week, I looked at some of the backfield and wide receiver rooms with the most intriguing numbers, but this week, I’m going to split things into two stories so I can look at every team. Some team breakdowns will be quick and to the point, while others I spend several paragraphs on.

We’ll start with the backfields in this story.

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Patriots

The Patriots were demolished on Thursday night, and it led to some funky numbers across the board. Antonio Gibson ended up getting eight touches to just six for the starter Rhamondre Stevenson - neither were good fantasy options.

I still trust Stevenson more, as he’s going to play more snaps, but neither can be started with all that much confidence because of the state of that offense overall.

Jets

Breece Hall got 20 touches across 52 offensive snaps played in week 3, while backup Braelon Allen had 14 touches across 23 snaps. On a short week and in a lopsided game, it made sense to feed Allen a bit more, but I also think he’s performed well enough on his touches this season to remain involved offensively for the time being.

Hall can still be safely started in all formats, while Allen is a good deep league starter and possible flex standard league starter depending on defensive matchups.

Bills

The Bills dominated on Monday night, so James Cook only played 32 snaps and got 15 touches. Ray Davis (eight touches on 12 snaps) and Ty Johnson (six touches on 18 snaps) won’t get nearly as much work going forward.

Dolphins

The first game after Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion was rough for the Miami offense. De'Von Achane got 14 touches across 45 snaps, but didn’t do much for his fantasy outing. He’s still a good starting option every week.

Jeff Wilson played 14 snaps and Jaylen Wright was on the field for 13 snaps. When Raheem Mostert is fully healthy, I’d expect him to suck up most of the backup snaps/touches, and maybe eat into Achane’s totals as well.

Ravens

Derrick Henry got 26 touches across 37 snaps in week 3, and he responded with a monster fantasy showing. He’s a must start every week.

Justice Hill got seven touches across 26 snaps, showing he’s a possible deep league starting option still.

Steelers

Najee Harris got 23 touches across 40 snaps and had a pretty solid fantasy outing for not scoring. He’s a borderline start option every week.

Cordarrelle Patterson got seven touches across 23 snaps, while Jaylen Warren got four touches across 23 snaps. Warren and Harris are each battling injuries, but it looks like Harris can play through his - Patterson would get the backup snaps/touches if Warren can’t play, but he’s not a starting option outside deep, deep leagues.

Bengals

Zack Moss played 47 snaps and got 17 touches, while Chase Brown had nine touches across 15 snaps. Both had solid fantasy days, with Moss’ touchdown helping him to a better score.

Moss remains a borderline starting option in standard leagues, but this backfield is one to watch in case the more efficient Brown is given some more work going forward. Brown is a deep league starting option, but could become a standard league option with another good showing in week 4.

Browns

Jerome Ford regained control of the No. 1 role in Cleveland, getting 13 touches across 53 snaps. He didn’t have a great fantasy showing though. D'Onta Foreman only played 11 snaps and got two touches.

This is a backfield to stay away from right now with so much variation from week to week. Ford is the better starting option, but only for deeper leagues.

Texans

Cam Akers got 10 of the 16 RB touches for Houston in week 3. Joe Mixon will regain his workhorse role when he’s healthy. Akers could be a starting option in week 4 if Mixon and Dameon Pierce are both out again.

Titans

Tony Pollard outsnapped Tyjae Spears 34-20 in week 3, but only led in touches 9-6. Neither are good starting league options right now, with Pollard being the slightly-better option in deeper leagues.

Colts

Jonathan Taylor got 24 of the 26 RB touches and played 49 snaps to just five for backup Trey Sermon. Taylor is a must start in all leagues.

Jaguars

Travis Etienne got 15 touches across 49 snaps as Tank Bigsby was banged up, but because of the Jaguars’ terrible offense, Etienne had just an average fantasy day. I still like starting Etienne in all formats, but I wouldn’t be confident about it.

We’ll see if Bigsby retains his bigger role from week 1 when he’s healthy again.

Broncos

Javonte Williams played a team-high 35 snaps, but he tied Tyler Badie (13 snaps) with nine touches. Jaleel McLaughlin had six touches across 18 snaps. 

This backfield is a mess and one to avoid in standard leagues. I still like Williams the most for a potential deep league start, followed by Badie and then McLaughlin, but I wouldn’t be confident in any of these guys.

Chiefs

Carson Steele got 18 of the team’s 27 RB touches and played 46 snaps in week 3. Samaje Perine got the other nine touches and played 28 snaps.

Kareem Hunt was signed to the active roster, so things could look different in week 4. Steele is the best fantasy option right now, but I’d only feel confident starting him in deeper leagues. Perine could start in deeper PPR leagues, while Hunt should probably be avoided until we see his offensive role.

Raiders

Alexander Mattison led the team with 28 snaps played, while Ameer Abdullah had 22 and Zamir White had just 14. White led the way with 10 touches, while Mattison had six and Abdullah two.

None of these backs are starting options in standard leagues, and I wouldn’t feel great about any of them in deeper leagues either. I like Mattison the best of the trio right now.

Chargers

J.K. Dobbins dominated the backfield touches in week 3, getting 18 to just three for Gus Edwards. Dobbins played 30 snaps to Edwards’ 16.

Dobbins is a borderline starting option in standard leagues, while Edwards should be avoided in all formats for now.

Eagles

Saquon Barkley is the clear workhorse in Philly. He got 21 touches across 58 snaps in week 3 and is probably the fantasy MVP so far.

Cowboys

Rico Dowdle was the clear leader in the Dallas backfield in week 3, getting 11 touches and 37 snaps. Ezekiel Elliott had four touches across 15 snaps.

Dowdle is the better starting option right now, but I’d only consider him in deeper leagues. Elliott should be avoided until further notice.

Giants

Devin Singletary continues to dominate the New York backfield. He got 20 touches across 49 snaps in week 3 and is a pretty safe starter in all formats.

Tyrone Tracy got seven touches across 22 snaps, so maybe his role is also increasing. He’s not a fantasy starting option yet though.

Commanders

Brian Robinson had 17 touches across 45 snaps in week 3, when Austin Ekeler got hurt after getting five touches in 13 snaps.

If Ekeler is out, Robinson would be a workhorse in week 4 and a good starting option in all formats. Ekeler is a deep league PPR starting option if he’s cleared to play.

Vikings

Aaron Jones outsnapped Ty Chandler 38-22 in week 3, but held a huge 24-7 advantage in touches. Jones goes back to being a good starting option in all league types, while Chandler is a risky starting option in deeper leagues.

Packers

Josh Jacobs only had one more touch than Emanuel Wilson (15-14) in week 3. Jacobs played 33 snaps to Wilson’s 26.

The backfield touch distribution will only be favorable for both backs until Jordan Love returns though. Jacobs is still the best starting option, but is now a riskier play in standard leagues. Wilson could be a deep league starting option for week 4.

Bears

D'Andre Swift played a team-high 48 snaps, but was inefficient across 15 touches. Roschon Johnson was much better across 12 touches and 33 snaps and many expect him to take on a larger role going forward.

I’d avoid both in standard leagues, and lean toward Johnson over Swift in deeper leagues. Both are risky starting options in week 4 though.

Lions

David Montgomery (26 touches, 35 snaps) and Jahmyr Gibbs (16 touches, 31 snaps) were both great in week 3 and remain good starting options in all formats for week 4.

Falcons

Bijan Robinson dominated the backfield in week 3, getting 18 touches across 50 snaps. He should be starting in all leagues.

Tyler Allgeier had seven touches across 13 snaps. He’s a deep league starting option, but a risky one.

Buccaneers

Bucky Irving got one more touch (12-11) than Rachaad White despite being outsnapped 42-18. Irving was the far better fantasy option.

Irving is the better fantasy option going into week 4, but I’d only feel somewhat confident starting him in a deeper league. I’d consider White in deeper leagues, but probably try to stay away from him.

Panthers

Chuba Hubbard had 26 touches across 43 snaps played in week 3 and looked great in the Andy Dalton-led offense. He’s a solid starting option for all leagues in week 4.

Miles Sanders got nine touches across 31 snaps and is a desperation deep league starting option.

Saints

Alvin Kamara is the clear lead back for the Saints. He got 29 of the 31 RB touches in week 3 and played 48 snaps. Kamara remains a must start in all formats, especially PPR leagues.

Rams

Kyren Williams dominated the Rams’ backfield, getting 26 touches across 52 snaps. He’s a must start in all league types.

Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet was the clear leader in the Seattle backfield with Kenneth Walker out again in week 3. He had 21 touches across 54 snaps. 

I’m curious to see how the backfield shakes out when Walker is back, but Charbonnet should be a good deep league starting option regardless - he should start in all leagues if Walker is out again in week 4.

49ers

Jordan Mason had 21 touches across 53 snaps in week 3 and should remain the lead back until Christian McCaffrey is activated. You can start Mason in all leagues until then.

Isaac Guerendo got five touches across 10 snaps, so he’s a player to watch in case he starts eating into Mason’s touches and snaps.

Cardinals

James Conner is the clear No. 1 back in Arizona. He got 18 touches across 44 snaps in week 3, and despite a poor fantasy outing, remains a good starting option in all league types.

Emari Demercado outsnapped Trey Benson 12-2, so I’m curious to see if that continues or if that was a one-game outlier.

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